This hurts to read so I can only imagine how hard it is for you. Sending good thoughts your way. Sounds like he was a good boy with a great owner.
Question: when taking your dogs on a walk and they poop do you leave it or pick it up? Also when you pick it up do you carry it all the way home or throw it away in the first garbage can you see. Or do you wait for the first public trash can? I tend to throw it away at first accessible can.
I'll carry the shit to the house unless it's trash day and the cans are at the end of driveways then I'll toss it somebody's trash, it's always early enough that they haven't picked up yet Public grass areas depends on the foot traffic and the composition of the Doo Doo
Same. I also try to get him to go near the park by my house because there are several trash cans and I’ll throw it in there. There’s also a big dumpster at the church by my house and I’ll toss it in there.
My English Cream Goldens wrestling in the snow, I like the real mean looking pics because it’s so off base.
My boykin has made a crazy shift and has become extremely lethargic and mopey in the last month or so. She'll be 10 in March but she's always getting good health reports for her annuals. I have an appointment at the vet tomorrow to see if they can pinpoint anything that may be different
Likely going to be saying good bye to my boy Vinny in the next few days. I reached out to the same in-home vet that helped our girl Penny cross over about a year and a half ago. She’s going to access him and most likely help him cross over too. I got Vinny when he was already 9 yo. He was a child of divorce with neither person wanting him and having gone through some significant neglect. Based on his history, it’s surprising that he’s made it to 15. While Penny was my first dog, I never felt like she belonged to me. She was 11 when I got her and she was incredibly well loved by her mom who had passed. It always felt like I was just taking care of her till they were reunited. But Vinny has been my boy since day 1. My wife likes to joke that he thinks of her as just a play pal and that his entire universe revolves around me. Going to spend as much time as I can with him over the next couple days, and spoil him as much as I can. I know I’m going to be wrecked when he’s gone
He's a good boy and you're a good steward. The pain we feel in letting go is the cost of the transaction for the love and joy they bring into our lives. Dogs are the closest example on earth of God's unconditional love for us. Vinny will never leave you, and you'll be together again on the other side.
damn sorry my guy. Wish I could say something to help but I know I can’t. We can just take comfort and knowing we do the best we can.
Thank you all for the kind words. I’d like to think that I gave him the best life I could, but I can’t stop myself from second guessing. Could I have done something differently? Would he have done better on a different diet? Could I have been more proactive about preventative care? It’s not terribly constructive or helpful…I just hope he knows that I love him with all my heart and I tried to do my best.
Has anybody done the gastropexy (stomach stapling) surgery for their dog when they were neutered? Our veterinarian isn't pushing us but recommended we look into it for our 60 lb bernedoodle getting neutered in two weeks because Bernese mountain dogs are high risk for stomach flipping. Looking into it, it only looks really relevant for +100 lb dogs and larger dogs; I don't think he'll ever get over ~70 lbs so will probably not do it, but wanted to see if anyone had thoughts
Trudy is a Bernadoodle, we had pick of the litter and she was the runt. Said “I don’t she’s getting any bigger” probably a dozen times…she’s almost 5 and tips the scales at 80 lbs. I bet your buddy gets over 70 lbs. Never heard of the stomach flipping thing. and congrats on the new family member they’re the ideal family dog and she’s the most loyal and doting companion I’ve ever known.
Stomach flipping is when they eat and go run most common with bigger dogs, very dangerous. Wait at least an hour after your dog ate before going on a dynamic walk/run
View attachment upload_2025-1-30_21-58-14.jpeg I wish I could link some vidéos of them playing together. The husky is 80pounds but always so careful with my girl.
My buddy did it for his yellow lab and was happy with the decision. I have no idea how much it costs but seems like a good way to prevent worry over his lifetime. I'm constantly worried about bloat in my big girl, she's only 70 and a Dutch Shep so less risk than some but still a concern, at her age the most running she does is after squirrels in the backyard but that doesn't usually coincide with her meals.
We did with my female GSD. It’s pretty invasive, but she was already getting spayed. We did not do it with either of our males.
Good girl Maya has left the building, all 157 pounds of her, down from the 163 pounds she arrived to the shelter at a few weeks back. I never thought any dog could overpower me. Maya does whatever the fuck she wants and you're not gonna tell her any different.
And my 16 month old Golden, Walker, who likes to climb under my pillow and head. He is such a lovable dork.
Oh he is. Super sweet. After always having aussies it is such a change though. He does the dumbest things, but it so funny and endearing.
We were discussing the gf and I, we adopted Lily 1 year and a half ago, It feels like she has been with us forever. I can’t Even imagine my Life without her now